Pioneer in Ribera del Duero and now part of the elite, Bodegas Protos is one of the most important wineries in the history of Spanish wine. Its Crianza is one of the most consistent wines in its segment, a safe bet. Protos Crianza 2018 is presented as an expressive and authentic wine that reflects the terroir from which it originates. A red wine that has earned critical acclaim and has achieved no less than 95 points in the Decanter World Wine Awards.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
General features
General Information
Protos Crianza 2018 is made from Tempranillo grapes sourced from south-facing hillside plots, where the vines receive the necessary hours of sunlight for optimal ripening. These are old vines, aged between 30 and 35 years. After alcoholic fermentation at low temperature, malolactic fermentation takes place (part of the wine undergoes this process in French oak). Finally, it is aged for 12 months in French and American oak barrels.
The English publication Decanter, one of the most important wine magazines in the world, has awarded it 95 points and describes this red as “impressive and refined, with vivid aromas of blueberries, licorice, and clove. On the palate, it showcases notes of red fruits, spicy nuances, and oak. It has depth and energy, with a long finish. Incredibly good.”
Positioned among the elite of the D.O. Ribera del Duero, Bodegas Protos, alongside Vega Sicilia, was a pioneer in this wine region. In fact, the name Protos - from the Greek “First” - is a true statement of intent. Founded in 1927 in Peñafiel, Bodegas Protos is known for its high reliability in crafting well-rounded and long-lasting wines. This winery has the merit of combining popularity and prestige, with an enviable market position and presence in 100 countries across five continents.
Protos Crianza 2018 (D.O. Ribera del Duero) is perfect to pair with rice dishes, such as rabbit and snail rice, and also ideal with stewed legumes, like lentils with chorizo and morcilla.
The winery
Protos was (except for Vega Sicilia) the first winery of Ribera del Duero: founded in 1927 as a cooperative after the union of 11 winegrowers from the area, and one of the wineries that promoted the creation of the Denomination of Origin in Ribera del Duero (1982). Today, it is one of the most important wineries in Spain, and its wines are sold in 100 countries across five continents.
Located in Peñafiel, where the old and new wineries are connected by an underground tunnel. The old winery, exclusively dedicated to aging, has 2 kilometers of underground galleries carved into the mountain on which the castle stands, where the wines are aged under optimal natural conditions. The new facilities, with a spectacular design by the prestigious architect Richard Rogers, place Protos at the forefront of the wine and wine tourism scene. In fact, it is the most visited winery in the D.O. Ribera del Duero and was the first nationally to achieve the "mark of excellence" certificate by the prestigious international body Superbrands. Additionally, in 2013, Protos was recognized as "Winery of the Year" by Wine & Spirit magazine, and in 2022, it was named one of the 50 most admired wineries in the world by the prestigious international organization Drinks International.
Bodegas Protos owns 150 hectares of its own vineyards and also sources from its associates to craft its elegant wines. This carefully managed but extensive viticulture potential allows the allocation of each grape bunch to a specific type of wine. Another cornerstone of its philosophy is the constant renewal of its barrel stock (with a maximum of 4 years). Since 2006, Protos has also been present in the D.O. Rueda, where it produces Verdejo whites following the same high-quality standards. More recently, in 2019, it announced its entry into the D.O. Cigales.